How does it work?
Instead of using a patchwork of individual behavioral management
plans, we have moved to a school-wide discipline system that addresses the
entire school, the classroom, areas outside the classroom (such as hallways,
restrooms, offices, cafeteria, playground/school grounds etc.).
Every person who
works in the school is aware of the behavioral expectations and works to ensure
students are consistently getting the same message, regardless of the setting
they are in or the adult they come in contact with.
Is it hard to implement?
The district began working to implement PBIS in 2002. We are very
proud of our progress but keep working to improve our success. In order to
accomplish this task, several components are in place.
Behavioral Expectations are Defined. A small number of clearly defined behavioral
expectations are simply stated in positive terms. Each building identifies
their expectations. For example: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be
Cooperative.
Behavioral Expectations are Taught: Behavioral expectations are identified for
various settings in each school. The behaviors are taught to all of the
students in the school through direct teaching with the help of staff.
Appropriate Behaviors are Acknowledged: Once appropriate behaviors have been defined
and taught, they are acknowledged in various ways on a regular basis. Examples
of reinforcements used are: Gold & Platinum Cards, Cheers for Peers, Kudos
for Kids, Perfect Attendance Awards, Positive Office Referrals, Good Citizen
Postcards, and Praise Hats.
Data Collection: Office Discipline data is collected on
school-wide behavior and a team reviews the data regularly to determine when
and where the problems are occurring. The committee then brainstorms ways to
proactively address the problems and to re-teach and reinforce positive
behaviors. All staff and parents are represented on the team.
Individual Support is Provided for Students not
Responding to the School- Wide System: Each school has a system for developing plans for individual
students who may have a difficult time and need more support in a school
setting. Teams meet regularly and involve parents as active partners in helping students
to succeed.
Active Support by All Stakeholders: The entire school community is needed to be actively involved in order to make the system successful. PBIS is a district wide system for establishing a positive culture in each building.
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(April, 2012
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